The New Business Success Guide
Helping 10k new companies start right each week.
Congratulations on starting your company!
Welcome to the club. The crazy ones, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in square holes, the ones who see things differently.
With this new status comes new responsibility. But don’t worry; It needn’t be a headache. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Buddy is here to guide you through everything you need to know. We've curated the best resources and products to help you navigate your journey with confidence and ease.
Explore the essential products and services every new company needs, understand their benefits, and discover Buddy’s top picks to set you up for success.
Best of luck,
Buddy
Why You Need It
Your new company needs an accountant to manage finances, handle taxes, and keep you compliant, so you can focus on growing your business.
Benefits
- Save time by letting experts handle bookkeeping, allowing you to focus on your business.
- Avoid costly mistakes by staying compliant with tax laws from the start.
- Professional accountants are there to answer any of your questions.
Good To Know
40% of small businesses find accounting and taxes the most challenging tasks.
Providers
Ember, Crunch, Mazuma, TaxAssist
Buddy's Top Pick
Why Buddy Recommends Ember
- Ember provides easy-to-use software plus real accountants to manage your finances smoothly.
- Ember helps you stay compliant, avoiding costly mistakes from day one.
- Ember offers fixed monthly pricing, so you know exactly what you pay without surprises.
Visit Ember Now"Brilliant team, fab product. The time the platform has saved us has been invaluable.” –A. Mocatta
Why You Need It
Using accounting software helps your new company manage finances easily, keep accurate records, and stay compliant with tax laws from the start.
Benefits
- Save time by automating invoices and expenses, allowing you to focus on your business.
- Reduce errors with accurate record-keeping, helping you make better financial decisions.
- Stay compliant with tax regulations, avoiding penalties and keeping your business on track.
Good To Know
Small businesses using accounting software save an average of 8 hours per month on bookkeeping.
Providers
Clear Books, FreeAgent, QuickBooks, Xero
Buddy's Top Pick
Why Buddy Recommends Clear Books
- Clear Books offers a 30-day free trial, letting you try all features without risk.
- Clear Books provides easy-to-use software designed for small businesses like yours.
- Clear Books helps you manage finances efficiently, so you can focus on growing your business.
Visit Clear Books Now"Super helpful. Would recommend 100%" –K. Gratwick-Sarll
Why You Need It
Your new company needs a dedicated business account to manage finances, accept payments, and keep personal and business expenses separate.
Benefits
- Simplify finances by keeping all business transactions in one account, reducing confusion.
- Build credibility with clients by using a professional business account instead of a personal one.
- Easily track expenses and cash flow to make informed financial decisions.
Good To Know
Businesses with separate business accounts are 70% more likely to manage their finances effectively.
Providers
Anna Money, Barclays, HSBC, Monzo
Buddy's Top Pick
Why Buddy Recommends Anna Money
- ANNA lets you sign up in minutes, so you can get started immediately.
- ANNA offers free accounts with no monthly fees, saving your startup valuable money.
- ANNA is the all-in-one account for invoicing, expenses, taxes, bookkeeping, and accounting.
Visit Anna Money Now"Very helpful, kind and quick service. Highly recommended!" –R. Bodor
Why You Need It
Business energy contracts differ from home ones, with fixed terms and no price cap. Costs have more than doubled in 5 years, so finding the right deal is crucial.
Benefits
- Save money by securing the best energy rates, reducing your operating costs.
- Budget confidently with fixed energy prices, avoiding unexpected spikes in your bills.
- Ensure reliability with a steady energy supply, keeping your business running.
Good To Know
Small businesses can save up to 30% on energy costs by switching suppliers.
Providers
Bionic, Love Energy Savings, Utility Bidder
Buddy's Top Pick
Why Buddy Recommends Bionic
- Bionic simplifies energy comparisons, making it easy to find the best rates.
- Bionic connects you with trusted suppliers for dependable service and competitive pricing.
- Bionic helps you avoid overpaying by locking in the right deal, saving money long-term.
Visit Bionic Now"Bionic has always been efficient, professional, and gets us the best rates possible." – Craig, Property Owner
Why You Need It
Your new company needs business insurance to protect against unexpected risks, safeguard assets, and ensure peace of mind from day one.
Benefits
- Protect your business from financial losses due to accidents, lawsuits, or damages.
- Meet legal requirements by having mandatory insurance like employer's liability.
- Build trust with clients and partners by demonstrating responsibility and reliability.
Good To Know
The average SME experiences 8 legal disputes a year, with 43% of these resulting in a cost of £5k or more!
Providers
Qdos, Hiscox, Simply Business, Superscript
Buddy's Top Pick
Why Buddy Recommends Qdos
- Qdos simplifies business insurance, helping you get the right cover without hassle.
- Qdos offers tailored policies, so you only pay for the insurance you actually need.
- Qdos provides dedicated support with a personal account manager for excellent service.
Visit Qdos Today"Always easy to deal with - they pick up the phone and are helpful - can't ask for more than that!!" –P. Shambrook
Why You Need It
Your new company needs funding to launch and grow; a startup loan provides essential capital to get your business off the ground successfully.
Benefits
- Secure essential funds to start your business without using personal savings.
- Manageable repayment terms designed for startups keep finances under control.
- Invest in areas like equipment, marketing, or hiring staff with the loan.
Good To Know
60% of new businesses rely on loans to cover initial startup costs.
Providers
Tide, Funding Circle, Lloyds, iwoca
Buddy's Top Pick
Why Buddy Recommends Tide
- Tide has joined forces with Funding Options, becoming the largest credit marketplace in the UK.
- Tide helps you borrow up to £25,000 at just 6% interest per year.
- Tide provides access to over 120 lenders and will find a lender tailored to your business needs.
Visit Tide Now"The whole experience was personable, friendly & hassle free as well as quick." –G. MacWilliams
Why You Need It
All new companies need essential office supplies to run smoothly, help you or your team work efficiently, and ensure you can focus on what matters most.
Benefits
- Get more done by giving you and your team all the supplies they need.
- Ensure your workplace is well equipped so you can focus on the needs and demands of your business.
- Save time and money by buying everything from a trusted supplier in one order.
Good To Know
Companies can save up to 30% by buying office supplies from one provider.
Providers
Lyreco, Office Depot, Ryman, Staples
Buddy's Top Pick
Why Buddy Recommends Lyreco
- Lyreco delivers next day, so you never run out of essential supplies.
- Lyreco has all the office supplies you need in one place, saving you time.
- Lyreco offers competitive prices to help manage your startup budget effectively.
Visit Lyreco Now"Super fast delivery, great people and an amazing variety of office products.” –A. Malta
Why You Need It
A reliable phone system helps your new company communicate professionally, stay connected with customers, and manage calls efficiently from the start.
Benefits
- Set up easily, so you can communicate without delays, even if you're not tech-savvy.
- Use smart features designed to meet your business needs and enhance efficiency, like Call Recording.
- Depend on reliable service with support, avoiding missed calls and downtime.
Good To Know
Businesses with advanced phone systems improve customer satisfaction by up to 50%.
Providers
bOnline, BT, Enreach, HiHi
Buddy's Top Pick
Why Buddy Recommends bOnline
- bOnline lets you set up in 2 minutes - choose number, set greeting & hours, and much more.
- bOnline is the UK’s most-awarded phone provider dedicated to small & growing businesses.
- bOnline offers unrivalled reliability and support at a fair price with no hidden costs.
Visit bOnline Now"Unbelievable value for money. 100% recommend bOnline for new businesses starting out.” –Stephen H. on Trustpilot
Why You Need It
Using a virtual office keeps your personal address private and off public records, while giving your new company a professional image.
Benefits
- Protect privacy by keeping your home address off Companies House public listings.
- Enhance credibility with a prestigious business address that impresses clients.
- Manage mail easily with same-day mail scanning and/or forwarding services to stay organised.
Good To Know
60% of startups use virtual offices to safeguard their personal address and boost professionalism.
Providers
Hoxton Mix, Regus, Servcorp, Your Virtual Office
Buddy's Top Pick
Why Buddy Recommends Hoxton Mix
- Hoxton Mix keeps your personal address private, protecting you from unsolicited visitors.
- Hoxton Mix offers a prime London address, enhancing your company's image from day one.
- Hoxton Mix provides a 20% discount with our code, saving you money immediately.
Visit Hoxton Mix Now"The staff at Hoxton Mix are really nice and professional." –R. Hart
Why You Need It
Having a professional website is essential to reach customers online, build credibility, and showcase your products or services effectively.
Benefits
- Increase visibility by making it easier for customers to find your business online.
- Build trust with a professional site that enhances your company's credibility.
- Generate leads to attract new customers and grow your business faster.
Good To Know
75% of consumers judge a company's credibility based on its website.
Providers
UENI, Godaddy, IONOS, Wix
Buddy's Top Pick
Why Buddy Recommends UENI
- UENI creates a professional website quickly, helping you reach customers online in 7 days.
- UENI handles setup and updates, so you can focus on your business.
- UENI offers affordable plans, ideal for startups needing to save money.
Visit UENI Now"I've always had great customer service with UENI and I love my website!” –C. Jansen